Today I'm interviewing one of the legendary musicians of the
Sludge/Doom Metal scene. For 23 years he's been the main driving
force behind Sourvien. Sourvein have released an incredible amount of
music and heavy riffs since their inception in 1993.
Critically
acclaimed albums, EPs and split releases and fearsome live
performances has seen Sourvein build up a great fanbase within the
Sludge/Doom Metal community.
It's
hard to believe that Sourvein will be releasing their 4th
album overall with Aquatic Occult. The album will be released via
Metal Blade Records from April 7th 2016. Trust me when I
say this is perhaps Sourvein's finest work to date. A stunning and
heavy as hell album that will rank as one of the year's best albums.
To
give us a greater insight into the new album and all things Sourvein,
here is my interview with – T.Roy
Hi
T-Roy. How are things with you today? Thanks for doing this
interview. Congrats on the new album – Aquatic Occult. That is one
hell of a record. What can people expect from the record.
Thanks
a lot....its a good record I believe .... I think they can expect to
see the music evolve and hear new things that expend our sound .but
at the same time staying true to our roots. My goal was for you to
feel it as well as hear it and try some new tricks . I put my heart
into it. As did mike dean and the others. So I hope some people can
relate to it. And maybe it can be someone's favourite album.
Congrats
on also signing to Metal Blade Records. Seems like the perfect fit
for Sourvein to be signed to that great label.
Yeah
thanks. We are so stoked to with Metal Blade Records. Everyone at the
label is awesome and have been really great to work with and breath
of fresh air for us. I am looking forward to doing a follow up to
Aquatic occult next year. I already have songs for it. I think its
the perfect place for us to be and I hope stay here for a long time.
Photo by Noelle Rose
It
seems this album has been a long time coming. I know you've been
through quite the journey with making this album. Has this been the
hardest album you've made so far.
In
some ways yes and others no. It was a hard 3 hour commute to the
studio .and midway through I lost my job due to the recording
schedule. My car broke down as well at the same time. So towards the
end we were taking greyhound bus and catching rides from friends.
Eating crackers and sleeping in front of the amps. When we couldn't
afford the cheap motel down the road just to keep making it happen.
This
was happening during the recording and vocal sessions. So the
struggle is there, the voice in the music but in a rise above and
live to win kinda of way not a screw everything kinda way. HA. I
think the struggle added an edge to it. Pushing through any set backs
and going for it but nothing good comes easy. But it was a awesome
experience overall. I learned a lot on this one to apply to the next
one.
I
love how the album is quite bleak at times but at the end of it all,
it leaves you in a positive frame of mind. Was that one of your aims
recording the album. Showing how bleak life can be but how also you
can survive from it all.
Yeah
in a way its about overcoming and seeing things in a positive light
and the music kinda felt that way on its own. It came out that way.
It's moving forward on a different path in a lot ways and just
following the heart
You're
the only sole original member of Sourvein since it's started. Looking
back would you preferred to have a stable line-up. Or do you work
better and harder with a different set of musicians with each
Sourvein release.
Well
the original line up lasted 8 years. Then we replaced guitarist and
went another 5 years .But I knew the first month we wouldn't be like
U2. The same four people forever at the same time. I knew that wasn't
gonna stop me !!!!
This
was my baby and dream from day one, its all I wanted to do. Others
wanted to have other jobs and things they wanted to do. So I did what
I had to do, I kept it moving. I have some stable guys like Lou and
others that been with me off and on and then come back in.
But
yeah I like working with different people as well. It brings
something new to the sound like Reed Mullin did on this one on drums.
He kills it. He added a bunch of dynamics that we never had before. I
just wanna rock with others who feel the same way and not everyone
can keep up with the schedule. Travelling and touring full time. Its
hard.
Some
other guys I just gave a opportunity to play on a session or do a
tour filling in playing live and seeing the world and then return to
their own bands after the tours and do their thing. I been happy to
be able to give that opportunity to folks at different times who may
not have got to do that in there own bands I really have to thank
them for helping us out as well. Keepin things rolling.
It's
like a heavy rock commune in a way in a way no doors are closed
people can come in and out here and there. HA HA. No different than
Queens Of The Stone Age, The Melvins, Howling Wolf and others I guess
but the show must go on. And I am going to do what I do no matter
what. I hope to continue to bring opportunities to different
musicians. For different things while keepin the core line up
rocking.
Mike
Dean has produced your new album. How did you get Mike Dean involved
and what does he bring to the Sourvein sound.
Yeah
Mike Dean produced it. I've known Mike Dean for awhile, first tour I
did as a roadie for the original Buzzov-en's to a frown tour in early
93. Mike's band Spore later called “ninefinger"was on the tour
as well. So we had met way back and I ran back into him when my side
band opened for COC in 2012. He mentioned he would be down to work
with me. When it was time to record again. I took him up on it. Right
off the bat I called him and he was awesome to work with cause he
knows recording from basement demo tapes to big studios such as
Studio 606 (Dave from Nirvana's studio) and everything in-between
he's done it. And Mike is also very hands on as he got right in the
trenches with us. He's s a hard worker and he cares about the music.
He pushed me and the band to do our best. It was a good experience
and he did a great job.
Why
did you decide to call the album Aquatic Occult. Any particular
meaning to you as such. Awesome title for the record.
Yeah,
I am from an island, its an abstract way of saying water/ocean is
mysterious to me. I write in a word play kinda way so I like to bring
words together. The ocean is the heavy place and mysterious place.
And that's what Aquatic Occult is to me.
The
album cover for Aquatic Occult is amazing. That is perhaps my fave
cover for any of your records so far. Captures the mood of the entire
album. Who designed the cover and how much input did you have into
the overall design of it.
It's
done by Jordan Barlow of the band Ritual Killer from NOLA. He did the
last High On Fire record art among many others. He's an old friend
and gifted artist and great tattooist in New Orleans. He did the
front and back cover and the fold out. He just killed it. I can't
thank him enough. He will be doing the next one as well for sure.
I
am hands on and have a vision. I drew the rough ideas for the cover
and Jordan took my sketches and ideas and went from there He made it
awesome and added the elements I wanted in there. His style is just
amazing. I took the pictures myself and worked with our friend Bill
Kole who laid it out with me and did a great job with the whole
package. I really love it and it's perfect.
Will
you be touring this record heavily. Or will it be a few select dates
here and there.
We
will hit Europe first and then a run on the West Coast. So we will
touring, just spacing it out a bit around the work schedule. Also
looking into linking up as support to another band. Love to tour with
Witchcraft. And yeah we are looking into doing a lot of fests and
one-offs. So promoters get in touch. we are taking offers.
Photo by Noelle Rose
How
hard is it being a band in today's world? What are the most difficult
aspects in being in a band?
Hard
as it ever was really. It's the money, it's hard to do home life and
tours. It's hard to have the money to get it all going outta pocket
and pay the bills at home. It's not as easy as it use to be to find
extra work before or after a tour. So I have to save up to do a tour.
And it's hard sometimes. I cant do it like I use to and just live on
the road. Though I can do what I can.
What
inspired you to become a musician? Any particular album, band or
life-changing event that told you – Yeah, that's what I want to
do....
There
are many. KISS as a kid got me rocking in the 2nd grade. Then
everything from Blondie to Gap Band to Elvis to Run DMC. The Bad
Brains and HR is a big influence. Black Flag with Keith Morris.
Lemmy, early Motorhead. Ozzy with Sabbath. Even Peter Tosh.
After
my first show after skateboarding all day with local punk band ALL
TORE UP at 15. After seeing it live, I knew I could do it too. Then
I saw The Ramones at 17 and I knew I wanted to ROCK IT LOUD AND
POWERFUL. Just what I was looking for, so I went for it full on. To
do what these bands were doing. It's taken me around the world a few
times now. But I still fill the impact those records and early shows
had on me. Actually I was able to get the singer from that first
local show Dave Capps from the band ALL TORE UP to do guest vocals on
the song Capsized. That was full circle and awesome to give my
respect to the guy that showed me it was possible as a teenager
locally.
What
inspires you when writing your lyrics or music.
Life
and reality really but pain and joy. Different emotions It depends,
it's all from real situations. I may play on words and have abstract
lyrics. But it's all real to what's going on in life or around me or
something that's inspired me. Riffs come during times I least expect
them and things come to me outta the blue sometimes. I am always
trying to write something I like to create.
You've
probably seen it all being involved with Sourvein over the last 23
years. Looking back and if you could would you change anything about
your musical experiences. Good or Bad.
Yeah
I've seen a lot and done tons of tours. Something every year since
94. Sure I'd change some things over the past and through the years
here and there if I could. I am older and wiser now with a different
outlook. Looking back sure I'd change things like I would take back
every-time my van broke down for instant. HA, but you cant change a
thing so its all kinda part of the journey.
I
kinda never look back at bad times touring too much its part of it
ups and downs. Its about the good times to me. It's about moving
forward to the new things and looking ahead and learning from any
mistakes and making sure you don't let happen again. But overall it
been good and I look to the future and hope to keep creating music
and travelling to play live.
Before
you go, do you have anything to say to your fans?
Thanks
for the years of support. Really thanks to any one who has helped the
band in anyway ever.!!!!
Thanks
to musicians I've worked with over the years. Please order the new
record and new merch so we can continue to tour. I really hope
everyone likes it. And thanks to Metal Blade Records for everything.
See you on the road.
Cheers
T.Roy – Sourvein
Words
by Steve Howe and T.Roy
Thanks
to Andy at Metal Blade Records for arranging this interview. Thanks
for T.Roy for taking the time out in doing this amazing interview.
Aquatic
Occult will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Metal Blade Records from April 7th 2016.
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